Mailing kiosk with safeguards and methods of use

Abstract

A self service kiosk for mailing prohibited items from TSA checkpoints has the following features: an easy-to-touch screen, full computerization, visual and auditory prompts, clearly displayed shipping options, an automatically calculated price, an instantly-produced address/postage label and payment receipt, secure credit card processing, daily emptying by the USPS, transaction logging and cumulative accounting reports, built in communications and UPS backup, built in security features, built in slot for mail acceptance, provision of US Priority and Express Mail service, and a heavy duty plate steel vault for security.

1 . A kiosk comprising 
 a vault defining a depository for storing items to be mailed and a passage leading from an outside of the depository to an inside of the depository,    a gate associated with the passage, said gate being movable from a first position in which the passage is blocked to a second position in which the passage is open,    an actuator for the gate,    an electronic display means for displaying a plurality of queries to a user of the kiosk and for receiving a plurality of responses to said queries from the user, and    a computer for transmitting the queries to the display means, processing the responses to the queries from the user, and selectively signaling the actuator to move the gate from the first position to the second position.    
     
     
         2 . A kiosk as in  claim 1  wherein the computer further signals the actuator to move the gate from the second position to the first position after the passage of a predetermined period of time.  
     
     
         3 . A kiosk as in  claim 1  wherein the computer further times out a query in the event that a response is not received from the user after the passage of the predetermined period of time.  
     
     
         4 . A kiosk as in  claim 1  further comprising 
 instructions for causing the computer to display, on the display means, a list of items, and a request for the user to select the item which best identifies the item sought to be mailed by the user, and    instructions for causing the computer to render the kiosk unusable for a predetermined period of time by a user who has indicated that the item sought to be mailed is an item prohibited for mailing by the US Postal Service.    
     
     
         5 . A kiosk as in  claim 1  wherein the electronic display means for displaying the plurality of queries and for receiving the responses comprises a touch-screen user interface operably associated with the computer.  
     
     
         6 . A kiosk as in  claim 1  wherein the actuator comprises 
 a logic card in operable association with the computer and a servo motor, and    instructions for causing the computer to process the responses to the queries, and, upon determining that the responses meet predetermined criteria, to signal the logic card to actuate the servo motor and open the passage.    
     
     
         7 . A kiosk as in  claim 6  wherein the predetermined criteria include at least one of 
 an input by the user of a valid mailing address,    an input by the user of a valid selection of an item identification the mailing of which is not prohibited, and    an input by the user of valid electronic payment information.    
     
     
         8 . A kiosk as in  claim 5  further comprising 
 a printer for printing an address label operably associated with the computer, and instructions to cause the computer to signal the printer to print the address label.    
     
     
         9 . A kiosk as in  claim 5  further comprising 
 an electronic scale operably associated with the computer,    instructions to cause the computer to signal the touch screen to display a request for the user to place the item to be mailed on the electronic scale,    instructions to cause the computer to calculate and display, on the touch screen, classes of mailing service offered for the item and associated amount due and a request for the user to select the class of mailing service desired.    
     
     
         10 . In a method comprising providing a self-service kiosk for a user to mail items larger or heavier than letters, 
 said kiosk including a depository for said items and a passage leading to the depository, the improvement comprising    blocking said passage with an electronically controlled door, said door being normally in a closed position,    displaying at least one query to the user on a display device associated with the kiosk, and    selectively opening the door in response to user input to the at least one query.    
     
     
         11 . A method as in  claim 10  wherein the step of displaying the at least one query includes displaying a request for the user to input the user's address information, 
 receiving the address information from the user,    displaying the address information and a request for the user to confirm that the address information is a correct,    receiving a confirmation from the user, and    determining whether or not the user address matches a mailing address in a database.    
     
     
         12 . A method as in  claim 11  further comprising 
 transmitting the user address to a remote site over the internet, and    storing the user address at the remote site in a computer memory device.    
     
     
         13 . A method as in  claim 11  wherein the user address matches the mailing address in the database and an electronic impediment to opening the door is overcome.  
     
     
         14 . A method as in  claim 11  wherein the user address fails to match a mailing address in the database and an electronic impediment to opening the door remains in place.  
     
     
         15 . A method as in  claim 11  wherein the step of determining includes 
 transmitting the input address information over the internet to a remote computer, said remote computer having access to the database, said database comprising a list of valid mailing addresses,    comparing the input address information to the address information in the database,    determining, in the remote computer, whether or not the user address matches a mailing address in the database, and    transmitting the determination to the kiosk.    
     
     
         16 . A method as in  claim 11  wherein the steps of displaying a request for the user to input the user's address information and receiving the address information from the user includes 
 displaying a request for a user to input the user's name,    receiving a name input from the user,    displaying a request for the user to input the user's address,    receiving an address input from the user,    displaying a request for the user to input the user's city, state and zip code, and    receiving city, state and zip code data from the user.    
     
     
         17 . A method as in  claim 10  wherein the step of displaying the at least one query includes 
 displaying a request for the user to provide an indication of the identity of the item to be mailed, and    receiving an indicated identity of the item to be mailed from the user.    
     
     
         18 . A method as in  claim 17  wherein the indicated item is not prohibited from mailing by the United States Postal Service and an electronic impediment to opening the door is overcome  
     
     
         19 . A method as in  claim 17  wherein the indicated item is prohibited from mailing by the United States Postal Service and an electronic impediment to opening the door remains in place.  
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 10  wherein the step of displaying the at least one query includes 
 displaying a request for the user to place the item on a scale, wherein the user places the item on the scale,    receiving an indication of item weight from the scale, and    determining whether or not the item exceeds a predetermined weight.    
     
     
         21 . A method as in  claim 20  wherein the weight of the item does not exceed the predetermined weight and an electronic impediment to opening the door is removed.  
     
     
         22 . A method as in  claim 20  wherein the weight of the item exceeds the predetermined weight and an electronic impediment to opening the door remains in place.  
     
     
         23 . A method as in  claim 10  wherein the step of displaying the at least one query includes 
 displaying a request for the user to select a class of mailing service    receiving an indication of class of mailing service from the user,    displaying a request for the user to input electronic payment information, and    receiving the electronic payment information from the user.    
     
     
         24 . A method as in  claim 23  further comprising 
 transmitting the electronic payment information over the internet to a clearance center, and    receiving from the clearance center an approval or a rejection of the electronic payment information.    
     
     
         25 . A method as in  claim 10  wherein the step of displaying at least one query includes 
 displaying a request for the user to accept a release of liability,    wherein receipt of an input from the user indicating acceptance of the release of liability overcomes an electronic impediment to opening the door.    
     
     
         26 . A method as in  claim 25  further comprising 
 capturing an image of the user, and    transmitting the image offsite via the internet.    
     
     
         27 . A method as in  claim 10  further comprising 
 displaying a welcome screen which is activated by user action or, after passage of a predetermined period of time, user inaction.    
     
     
         28 . A method as in  claim 10  further comprising 
 closing the door a predetermined period of time after it has been opened.    
     
     
         29 . In a method comprising 
 providing a self-service kiosk for a user to purchase postage,    said kiosk including a printer for printing the postage, and an electronic display device for displaying instructions for using the kiosk,    the improvement comprising    displaying at least one query to the user on a display device, and    selectively printing the postage in response to user input to the at least one query.    
     
     
         30 . A method as in  claim 29  wherein the step of displaying the at least one query includes 
 displaying a request for the user to input the user's address information,    receiving the address information from the user,    displaying the address information and a request for the user to confirm that the address information is a correct,    receiving a confirmation from the user, and    determining whether or not the user address matches a mailing address in a database.    
     
     
         31 . A method as in  claim 30  further comprising 
 transmitting the user address to a remote site over the internet, and    storing the user address at the remote site in a computer memory device.    
     
     
         32 . A method as in  claim 30  wherein the user address matches the mailing address in the database and an electronic impediment to printing the postage is overcome.  
     
     
         33 . A method as in  claim 30  wherein the user address fails to match a mailing address in the database and an electronic impediment to printing the postage remains in place.  
     
     
         34 . A method as in  claim 30  wherein the step of determining includes 
 transmitting the input address information over the internet to a remote computer, said remote computer having access to the database, said database comprising a list of valid mailing addresses,    comparing the input address information to the address information in the database,    determining, in the remote computer, whether or not the user address matches a mailing address in the database, and    transmitting the determination to the kiosk.    
     
     
         35 . A method as in  claim 30  wherein the steps of displaying a request for the user to input the user's address information and receiving the address information from the user includes 
 displaying a request for a user to input the user's name,    receiving a name input from the user,    displaying a request for the user to input the user's address,    receiving an address input from the user,    displaying a request for the user to input the user's city, state and zip code, and    receiving city, state and zip code data from the user.    
     
     
         36 . A method as in  claim 29  wherein the step of displaying the at least one query includes 
 displaying a request for the user to provide an indication of the identity of the item to be mailed, and    receiving an indicated identity of the item to be mailed from the user.    
     
     
         37 . A method as in  claim 36  wherein the indicated item is not prohibited from mailing by the United States Postal Service an electronic impediment to printing the postage is overcome  
     
     
         38 . A method as in  claim 36  wherein the indicated item is prohibited from mailing by the United States Postal Service and an electronic impediment to printing the postage remains in place.  
     
     
         39 . A method as in  claim 29  wherein the step of displaying the at least one query includes 
 displaying a request for the user to place the item on a scale, wherein the user places the item on the scale,    receiving an indication of item weight from the scale, and    determining whether or not the item exceeds a predetermined weight.    
     
     
         40 . A method as in  claim 39  wherein the weight of the item does not exceed the predetermined weight and an electronic impediment to printing the postage is removed.  
     
     
         41 . A method as in  claim 39  wherein the weight of the item exceeds the predetermined weight and an electronic impediment to printing the postage remains in place.  
     
     
         42 . A method as in  claim 29  wherein the step of displaying the at least one query includes 
 displaying a request for the user to select a class of mailing service receiving an indication of class of mailing service from the user,    displaying an amount due from the user based on the indication of class of mailing service from the user,    displaying a request for the user to input electronic payment information for the amount due, and    receiving the electronic payment information from the user.    
     
     
         43 . A method as in  claim 42  further comprising 
 transmitting the electronic payment information over the internet to a clearance center, and    receiving from the clearance center an approval or a rejection of the electronic payment information.    
     
     
         44 . A method as in  claim 29  wherein the step of displaying at least one query includes 
 displaying a request for the user to accept a release of liability,    wherein receipt of an input from the user indicating acceptance of the release of liability overcomes an electronic impediment to printing the postage.    
     
     
         45 . A method as in  claim 44  further comprising 
 capturing an image of the user, and    transmitting the image offsite via the internet.    
     
     
         46 . A method as in  claim 29  further comprising 
 displaying a welcome screen which is actuated by user action or, after passage of a predetermined period of time, user inaction.    
     
     
         47 . In a mailing kiosk having a storage area for storing items to be mailed and an access slot to permit items to be deposited into the storage area and to resist the withdrawal of items from the storage area, the improvement for restricting the deposit of items which are larger than letters comprising 
 a gate positioned across the access slot and movable from a first position which blocks the deposit of items larger than letters into the storage area to a second position which permits the deposit of items into the storage area which are larger than letters but beneath a predetermined upper thickness,    and electronically actuated means for moving the gate from the first position to the second position for a predetermined period of time.    
     
     
         48 . A mailing kiosk as in  claim 47  wherein the electronically actuated means includes 
 at least one user interface for displaying queries and instructions to a user of the kiosk and permitting the user to input data responsive to the queries and instructions,    a computer with operative instructions for displaying queries and instructions on the user interface, receiving and processing the user input data, and producing a signal for causing the gate to be moved from the first position to the second position, and    an actuator for receiving the signal from the computer and moving the gate from the first position to the second position responsive to the signal.    
     
     
         49 . A mailing kiosk as in  claim 48  further comprising 
 a vault defining the storage area, said vault defining an inner slot leading into the storage area, and    a housing at least partially surrounding the vault, said housing defining an outer slot leading into the storage area, said outer slot being in alignment with the inner slot,    wherein the gate is positioned between the outer slot and the inner slot.    
     
     
         50 . A mailing kiosk as in  claim 49   wherein the gate comprises a carrier plate and    a movable gate plate mounted alongside the carrier plate for movement in a plane parallel to the carrier plate,    a cam rotatably mounted to the carrier plate for urging the gate plate from the first position to the second position, and    a servo motor mounted to the carrier plate for driving the cam.